Students from St. Monica Catholic School’s Gifted Withdrawal Program have showcased their ingenuity and technical skills, securing top honours at the Skills Ontario Grade 4 to 5 Cardboard Car Race Regional Competition and the Grade 6 Paper Glider Competition. The young innovators clinched gold in both events, while their Grade 7 and 8 peers earned a bronze medal in the Hydraulic Crane Challenge.
The prestigious competition, which attracts talented participants from across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), pushes students to design and construct functional models using everyday materials. In the cardboard car race, teams were tasked with creating a vehicle from paper products, wooden skewers, rubber bands, and other supplies. The cars had to travel at least 15 feet on a level surface, with the fastest models taking top prize.
For the paper glider challenge, students engineered an aircraft designed to remain airborne as long as possible. Meanwhile, the Grade 7 and 8 team took on a more complex project—constructing a hydraulic crane using materials like cardboard, syringes, fluids, and plastic tubing. Their design had to complete a load test with a 25-gram weight to meet the rigorous competition standards.
Under the guidance of Ms. Neufeld, the team invested several weeks refining their sleek, aerodynamic, and structurally resilient creations. Their commitment to reducing wind resistance, optimizing structural integrity, and ensuring peak performance propelled them to well-earned victories.
As they look ahead to the provincial finals in April, the students are determined to enhance their designs and build upon their momentum. “It’s been fantastic to watch my students collaborate, problem-solve, and use their creativity in their submissions to this competition,” said Ms. Neufeld. “Their hard work has paid off, and I have no doubt they’ll continue to excel at the provincial level.”
This impressive achievement not only highlights the students' talent and perseverance but also underscores the importance of STEM-based learning. With access to the right tools and opportunities, young minds continue to push boundaries and achieve remarkable feats.
Congratulations to the winning teams:
Grade 5: Emma T and Anna G
Grade 6: Beatriz S, Stella F, Fiona Z, and Ava S
Grade 7/8: Aaliyah S, Theo C, Jakob F, and Katleiya M
The TCDSB community is cheering them on as they prepare for the provincial competition. Best of luck to these outstanding students as they strive for continued success!
